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Jerome Kaino

Jerome Kaino is one of the most devastating loose forwards in world rugby, with his tenacious defence and slick ball handling skills earning him many Test caps in an All Blacks jersey.

Kaino is considered one of the game's great blindside flankers and he played in all seven of last year's RWC 2015 matches as the All Blacks went back-to-back. He carried a big workload throughout the year; he also brought up his Investec Super Rugby century with the Blues in 2015 and is their most experienced squad member in 2016.

He moved to Auckland from American Samoa with his family when he was a child and played league before switching to rugby while at Papakura High School. After playing at centre and fullback as a teenager, Kaino developed into one of New Zealand’s most promising young loose forwards. In his first year with the Blues in 2004 he was acknowledged internationally by winning the IRB Under-21 Player of the Year award.

He finished the 2007 Rebel Sport Super 14 round-robin as the only New Zealand forward to play every minute. Kaino then played for the Junior All Blacks in 2005 and was again chosen for the side in 2007.

The Auckland and Blues blindside flanker has the athleticism to dominate in open play and the size to cover locking duties. “Lome” missed selection in the 2006 Rebel Sport Super 14 due to a shoulder injury, but recovered in time to play the last four games of the season.

He attended the same high school in Auckland, St Kentigern’s, as flying wing Joe Rokocoko.

In 2008 Kaino, who earned many comparisons with Jerry Collins for his uncompromising physical style, would become a key member of the All Blacks setup and is now the first-choice blindside flanker.

He had a barn-storming 2014 season with his beloved Blues team, following his two seasons offshore playing in Japan, earning a call up to the All Blacks nearly three years after he last played for the team in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Position:

Loose Forward

Born:

06/04/1983

Physical:

1.96m, 109kg

Test Debut:

2006 v Ireland at Hamilton

Test Points Breakdown:

12t

Test Points:

60

Caps:

81

Provincial Team:

Auckland

Provincial Debut:

2004 v Poverty Bay

Super Rugby Team:

Blues

Super Rugby Debut:

2004 v Reds

Choices of blindside flanker Liam Squire and fullback Damian McKenzie ahead of Jerome Kaino and Israel Dagg for the Bledisloe Cup and Investec Rugby Championship opener against Australia in Sydney were down to the longer term view of the All Blacks' international season from Saturday until the end of November.
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One area the All Blacks will be looking to maintain their dominance over Australia is the lineout although lock Sam Whitelock is wary of the emerging threat of Wallabies locks Adam Coleman and Rory Arnold.
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Series inconclusive as the All Blacks and the Lions played out a thrilling, and compelling, 15-15 draw in their series decider at Eden Park on Saturday - the first drawn series in their history and left the All Blacks still unbeaten at the ground since 1994.
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Two of the All Blacks seasoned veterans lock Sam Whitelock and flanker Jerome Kaino feel the correct template is in place as the side prepares to deny the British & Irish Lions a Test series victory at Eden Park on Saturday.
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